I have a question regarding foraging. I notice that my birds (who are allowed to free range now) only really go forage in the morning when they are first let out of their coop, and in the evening, a few hours before sundown. Is this normal? Or do your birds forage during mid day? Temperatures here are pretty cool in general, so the 'heat of the day' isn't blistering. But they still find a nice place to relax or sleep, whether they are sunning themselves or sprawled out in a dust bathing patch.
Mine only range in the morning and evening. Here in Oklahoma, it's HOT!!!!! There's nothing wrong with your chickens.
I've noted that our birds have an aversion to direct sunlight. If I let them out in the evening too early they will go to the shady side of the house or the front. Later they will move to the wood line at the back. There is also a willow tree back there that they absolutely love. Our evening sun here can be ungodly hot. They will move throughout the day to the shadier spots in the run. In the evening I think the bug activity increases. The birds seem to enjoy that last hour of light before bedtime. Dave
Mine also forage first thing in the morning then take a nap, lay a egg, go for a walk over to the fence line (I have ten acres) to see what the neighbors have to offer (treats) walk home, take a dust bath , sit around (visit we each other) then go out and forage before night lock up. I would say they forage about 85 % of the day. Gee, I wish I was a chicken, sound pretty good
Go to post 105 in following thread. https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=451333&p=11 I monitored free ranging flock for 24 hours straight noting activities every 10 minutes. Definite pattern in respect to foraging and avoiding heat. Pattern changes greatly with weather and forage variations.
They have alot of important activities to do in the mid-day... 1) sunbath... 2) nap... 3) dust bath... 4) nap... 5) drink a little... 6) nap ... 7) groom self...8) groom a friend...9) start all over again
